Pau Gasol had 18 points and 11 rebounds to lead world champion Spain to a 85-63 win over Serbia in the final of the European basketball championship Sunday.

The victory gave Spain its first European title after six runner-up finishes, including a one-point loss two years ago to Russia in front of its home crowd.

The Spaniards dominated from the start at both ends of the court, playing pressure man-to-man defense and getting out on the break for easy baskets to take a 15-point first quarter lead. Serbia never recovered.

By the way, now I need to change my brain chip and return to the "Hate Pau Gasol" mood. It's hard to be Spanish and that the best player in the history of your country plays for the *agghh* Lakers. It's like the "Anti-Superman" syndrome: everytime he wears his costume (that horrible purple and gold thing) he becomes unbearable...